Armistice Day

When these Civil War veterans from 21st Indiana Light Artillery Battery gathered in 1905 for a reunion in Valparaiso, Veterans Day did not exist. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, but the name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to celebrate all U.S. military veterans. The 21st Indiana, with soldiers from northern Indiana, fought for the Union Army from 1862 to 1865. Before the Civil War ended, 28 men from the 21st Indiana had died, either killed or mortally wounded in battle or from disease.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, a war that those who experienced it hoped would be the war to end all wars. The following year, the date was commemorated as Armistice Day, which was first recognized as a legal federal holiday in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

It is fitting that Veterans Day occurs just a few days after Election Day. Voting is American citizens' right and duty. It is one way we exercise the sacred freedom that has been won and defended by the men and women who have fought in this nation's wars. Originally called Armistice Day and commemorating the end of World War I, the holiday became Veterans Day in 1954. It is an occasion to celebrate and honor all U.S. war veterans. In the five decades since Veterans Day was established, the United States never has gone very long without being engaged in war. Now, when more than 150,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are risking their lives thousands of miles from home in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is especially fitting that the American people honor all who have put themselves in harm's way for their country.

At one time, schoolchildren stood and faced East at 11 o'clock on the 11th day of the 11th month. Yes, it was Armistice Day, the day that the fighting stopped at the end of World War I. The children were honoring those who had given their lives in that terrible conflagration, but we were also marking the day and hour that the fighting stopped in that "war to end all wars. " Now we call it Veterans Day, not Armistice Day, and with all of the honoring of veterans, I wait in vain to hear any talk about the ending of war. So, in this season when we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, perhaps we should stop to ask ourselves what we are doing to promote peace.

NILES -- There's just one thing separating members of Alma Wilson Mullins' family: 22 years. Give or take a few months. In an odd coincidence pointed out by Amanda Lighthart, 22, Mullins' great-granddaughter, four generations of the family were all born 22 years apart. And because the string started in a year ending in repetitive numbers, the ensuing years have ended in repetitive numbers as well. Mullins started the ball rolling on Nov. 11 -- Veterans Day, then known as Armistice Day -- in 1922, when she was born in Daisy, Tenn.

ANNIE'S MAILBOX KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR Dear Annie, I have been married for 23 years and have three beautiful children. We live in the same city as my mother-in-law. Mom rarely attends our children's activities, but drives two hours to see the other grandchildren's soccer games and ballet recitals. She only calls when she needs something and then demands that we come over immediately and mow her lawn or change a light bulb. Mom is rude to everyone, but what's most painful is how hurtful she is to our children.

Just over 50 years ago, the commemoration of the end of World War I, then called Armistice Day, became Veterans Day. The holiday was turned into an occasion to celebrate the courage and to honor the sacrifice of all U.S. war veterans. To honor veterans is as fitting now as it was in 1954, in the wake of World War II and the Korean War. We Americans surely should set aside a day to express a nation's gratitude to the men and women who served their country in time of war. The words expressed today in tribute to veterans are sincere.

Lloyd Brown remembers Armistice Day in 1918 as few -- ever so few -- veterans can. "For the servicemen there were lots of hugs and kisses," recalls Brown, of Charlotte Hall, Md., a teenage seaman aboard the battleship USS New Hampshire, in port stateside when the fighting stopped. "We were so happy that the war was over. " Now 104, Brown adds, "There's not too many of us around any more. " No one knows exactly how many of America's World War I veterans will celebrate Veterans Day, which marks the armistice of Nov. 11, 1918, that ended what then was considered the Great War. An estimated 2 million Americans served in Europe after the U.S. entered the war in 1917.

EVENTS Service League ornaments for sale NILES -- The Niles Service League would like to remind everyone that this year's holiday ornament, "Castle Rest/Pawating Hospital" will be available for purchase at the St. Mary's Arts and Crafts Bazaar in the St. Mary's School gym, 217 S. Lincoln Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. All proceeds go toward area youth. For questions, call Susie Weldy at (269) 591-0742. Barn Swallow board to meet CASSOPOLIS -- The Barn Swallow Theatre board of governors will conduct its annual meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Lutheran Church, 305 W. State St., Cassopolis.

Among the Americans who served in the armed forces, many have died and are prominent in our memories. Memorial Day is a special time of mourning reserved for them. Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly honor the contributions of our living veterans. They have made sacrifices for our country. Millions of Americans' lives were forever altered because they protected the freedom and rights which so many of us take for granted. To them we owe a debt of gratitude. For some of us, remembering a veteran is a daily act. Let us all preserve the integrity of Nov. 11 (earlier called Armistice Day)

When these Civil War veterans from 21st Indiana Light Artillery Battery gathered in 1905 for a reunion in Valparaiso, Veterans Day did not exist. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, but the name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to celebrate all U.S. military veterans. The 21st Indiana, with soldiers from northern Indiana, fought for the Union Army from 1862 to 1865. Before the Civil War ended, 28 men from the 21st Indiana had died, either killed or mortally wounded in battle or from disease.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, a war that those who experienced it hoped would be the war to end all wars. The following year, the date was commemorated as Armistice Day, which was first recognized as a legal federal holiday in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

At one time, schoolchildren stood and faced East at 11 o'clock on the 11th day of the 11th month. Yes, it was Armistice Day, the day that the fighting stopped at the end of World War I. The children were honoring those who had given their lives in that terrible conflagration, but we were also marking the day and hour that the fighting stopped in that "war to end all wars. " Now we call it Veterans Day, not Armistice Day, and with all of the honoring of veterans, I wait in vain to hear any talk about the ending of war. So, in this season when we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, perhaps we should stop to ask ourselves what we are doing to promote peace.

NILES -- There's just one thing separating members of Alma Wilson Mullins' family: 22 years. Give or take a few months. In an odd coincidence pointed out by Amanda Lighthart, 22, Mullins' great-granddaughter, four generations of the family were all born 22 years apart. And because the string started in a year ending in repetitive numbers, the ensuing years have ended in repetitive numbers as well. Mullins started the ball rolling on Nov. 11 -- Veterans Day, then known as Armistice Day -- in 1922, when she was born in Daisy, Tenn.

EVENTS Service League ornaments for sale NILES -- The Niles Service League would like to remind everyone that this year's holiday ornament, "Castle Rest/Pawating Hospital" will be available for purchase at the St. Mary's Arts and Crafts Bazaar in the St. Mary's School gym, 217 S. Lincoln Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. All proceeds go toward area youth. For questions, call Susie Weldy at (269) 591-0742. Barn Swallow board to meet CASSOPOLIS -- The Barn Swallow Theatre board of governors will conduct its annual meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Lutheran Church, 305 W. State St., Cassopolis.

Among the Americans who served in the armed forces, many have died and are prominent in our memories. Memorial Day is a special time of mourning reserved for them. Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly honor the contributions of our living veterans. They have made sacrifices for our country. Millions of Americans' lives were forever altered because they protected the freedom and rights which so many of us take for granted. To them we owe a debt of gratitude. For some of us, remembering a veteran is a daily act. Let us all preserve the integrity of Nov. 11 (earlier called Armistice Day)

ANNIE'S MAILBOX KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR Dear Annie, I have been married for 23 years and have three beautiful children. We live in the same city as my mother-in-law. Mom rarely attends our children's activities, but drives two hours to see the other grandchildren's soccer games and ballet recitals. She only calls when she needs something and then demands that we come over immediately and mow her lawn or change a light bulb. Mom is rude to everyone, but what's most painful is how hurtful she is to our children.

It is fitting that Veterans Day occurs just a few days after Election Day. Voting is American citizens' right and duty. It is one way we exercise the sacred freedom that has been won and defended by the men and women who have fought in this nation's wars. Originally called Armistice Day and commemorating the end of World War I, the holiday became Veterans Day in 1954. It is an occasion to celebrate and honor all U.S. war veterans. In the five decades since Veterans Day was established, the United States never has gone very long without being engaged in war. Now, when more than 150,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are risking their lives thousands of miles from home in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is especially fitting that the American people honor all who have put themselves in harm's way for their country.

Lloyd Brown remembers Armistice Day in 1918 as few -- ever so few -- veterans can. "For the servicemen there were lots of hugs and kisses," recalls Brown, of Charlotte Hall, Md., a teenage seaman aboard the battleship USS New Hampshire, in port stateside when the fighting stopped. "We were so happy that the war was over. " Now 104, Brown adds, "There's not too many of us around any more. " No one knows exactly how many of America's World War I veterans will celebrate Veterans Day, which marks the armistice of Nov. 11, 1918, that ended what then was considered the Great War. An estimated 2 million Americans served in Europe after the U.S. entered the war in 1917.

Just over 50 years ago, the commemoration of the end of World War I, then called Armistice Day, became Veterans Day. The holiday was turned into an occasion to celebrate the courage and to honor the sacrifice of all U.S. war veterans. To honor veterans is as fitting now as it was in 1954, in the wake of World War II and the Korean War. We Americans surely should set aside a day to express a nation's gratitude to the men and women who served their country in time of war. The words expressed today in tribute to veterans are sincere.